THE EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTATION RATIONS ON MILK YIELD, BODY CONDITION SCORE AND CALVES WEIGHT OF FUJA COWS

Abstract

This study was conducted in Western Sudan to evaluate the effects of supplementation on productive performance of Fuja dairy cows (local breed) and their calves. Forty lactating Fuja cows and their calves were selected on the basis of approximate similarity in age and live weight, the cows and their calves were randomly assigned into four groups (each group consisting of 10 cows). The diets were also randomly assigned to each of the four groups of the animals. The rations were fed after grazing at the rate of 2 kg per cow per day, during adaptation period of two weeks followed by the experimental period. Data collection of body condition score (BCS), milk yield and body measurements were carried out monthly for each new born calf to assess chance in body weight (BWT), body height (BH), body length (BL) and heart girth (HG). The results of the study indicated that milk yield was improved by supplementation, body condition score and parity number had significant (P< 0.05) effect on lactation curve. Body measurements were also affected by the sex of the calf. Strategic supplementary feeding of Fuja dairy cows increased milk yield. The treatment also reduced cows body condition loss (P<0.05) and caused no cows mortality. Therefore from the study result, it was possible to concluded that supplementation with molasses are essential for improving Fuja dairy cows and their calves’ performance in range land of Western Sudan.